I just received an old lathe from my wife's grandfather. It's a mid-60's Dunlap made by Sears and Roebuck. The price was right (free) and it's all I'll ever need for turning grips. I am having trouble with the tailstock mainly because I'm not sure how it's made. I'd like to be able to put a drill chuck in it and a live center, but I'm not sure how it comes apart. There's a center in it now, but it's not a live center, it's part of the shaft (or seems to be). Should it come apart? If so, how? I've included pictures of the serial number on the tailstock as well as the number 2 that appear on the tailstock opposite the serial number. It's my understanding (which is limited) that these lathes had a tailstock with a #1 Morse Taper. I'm not exactly sure what I have so any help is greatly appreciated.

The tailstock
[www.rodbuilding.org]

The center
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Serial number
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Number opposite the serial number
[www.rodbuilding.org]

thanks,
jeremy

Sometimes there is an opening on the back side of the shaft where you can insert a "tommy rod" and knock out the attachment. Generally this is on the headstock end, however. But that's a pretty old lathe and I'm not sure I've seen that particular type arrangement before. Almost surely you can remove the handle nut and get the shaft out to get a better look at how it's all put together.

..............

Mind you this is a guess, but looking at it I am thinking take the set lever all the way out and then maybe it unscrews out ???

Bill - willierods.com

I haven't been able to remove the shaft. I've taken the set lever out completely and it has no effect. I can get the shaft to unscrew so that the attachment is recessed back into the tailstock about 1/2" but it won't come out.

[www.owwm.com]


try this link- the serial numbers you have shown appear to be casting numbers.

Good Luck

Mark

Mark,

Thanks, that site is a wealth of knowledge. As near as I can tell from the manuals, mine is @ a 1945. The diagram shows the cup point as removable but I'll darn if I can figure out how it comes apart...

thanks,
jeremy

Jeremy,
If you look in the handle end of the tailstock, is it hollow?

On many lathes, the tail stock is hollow. Simply insert a rod into the hollow end, hit the rod with a hammer and knock the tail stock out of the tail piece.

Roger

Looks like a solidly made lathe - nice to be able to keep it in the family!

Using a soft steel rod as Tom and others have suggested is also good idea. If this hasn't been used in a while, there could be some corrosion or crud that's keeping things stuck together so spraying it inside and out with WD-40 or penetrating oil beforehand could be helpful to loosen things up.

An alternative to the steel rod method would be to try loosening the threaded handle on the end of the tailstock a couple of turns and then tap on the center of the handle with a soft mallet to see if that moves the center forward. (Unscrewing the handle too far and rapping it with a hammer could damage the threads, so it's best to just try a couple of turns and to not hit it too hard.)

Good luck!

Dan

Jeremy

I also was given an old Dunlop by Sears wood lathe, although mine seems to be a different model (older). I did get the wood spindle point out of the tailstock and installed a new live center without too much of a battle, although it's been a while since I did it and I don't remember specifically how I did it. I think mine was #1 MT. Later today I'll take another look at my lathe and refresh my memory of how the tailstock came apart for me. I'll post the steps I took.

Rog

Thanks Roger, any help is greatly appreciated. In everything I've seen on my lathe, as far as paperwork, it should have a #1MT also. I just can't figure out how to get the spindle point out. There's no hole that I can see to use as a knockout. I'm not the smartest guy around, but I'm no dummy either and this thing has me stumped!

jeremy

Have you removed the handle on the back of the tailstock? If so, how long is the shaft and threaded portion that extends into the tailstock?

My guess is that the "spindle" that is in the tailstock DOES NOT need to be removed and that the center is removable from the spindle as I described above (similar to removing any tapered chuck, collet, etc.) or by removing the handle and inserting a steel rod as was suggested. (Assuming that the spindle doesn't extend farther forward and that it has a slot through it to insert a wedge.)

Good luck.

Dan

I would suggest asking these questions on the Old Woodworking Machines forum.

[www.owwm.org]

This is a sister site to the one linked above.

Jeremy

I took a look at my lathe tailstock and the spindle point (not a live center) in mine was also on a #1MT shaft. It must have just "tapped out" of the tailstock mechanism. The lathe came with 2 centers, both of which are #1MT and are interchangeable. If it helps, the #1MT receiver in my tailstock can be removed from the tailstock casting by turning the crank handle counter-clockwise until it is free and pulls out of the casting. I'll attempt to post a few pics in the photo section of this site - tools. We'll see how that goes!!

Jeremy

It seems that I have successfully posted a few pics of my lathe in the photo area. If more pics would be of help to you please tell me what you would like to see. I'll be happy to take more and post them.

Rog

Upon further examination of the tailstock, there is not hole anywhere that I can insert a rod to knock out the attachment. The shaft is not hollow and I've taken the set lever out and the shaft will not unscrew. I've also taken Dan's advice and loosend the shaft by about a turn and tapped (pretty hard) on it with a hammer...nothing. The handle on the shaft of the tailstock is not removable- at least in any way that I can see.

I appreciate the help that all of you have given me. I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has more ideas. I am planning a trip to PSI in the next week or so and I plan on taking my lathe down there to see if they can help me out.

thanks again,
jeremy

Try looking for any one on the sites that that were given you. Some one there should have some info. maybe there is a number to call.

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,

I will take a look at those sites. Thanks for the info!

jeremy